Pastoral Care

Chaplains in the Department of Pastoral Care provide emotional and spiritual support for patients, families and staff. Support is given to those of all faiths and cultures. Highly trained chaplains are available 24 hours a day, and can be reached by asking a nurse, calling the hospital operator at (614) 722-2000, or calling the Pastoral Care Department at (614) 722-5250. We welcome your call.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Chapel

The Chapel, located in the main lobby, is a place where persons of all faiths, cultures and ages are welcome to come for spiritual renewal. This sanctuary offers hospitality for quiet and personal reflection and is designed to offer comfort and peace.

Seasons for Healing Bereavement Program

Seasons for Healing is a Bereavement Program for all members of the family after the loss of a child. This program is designed to provide support and resources to all who have experienced the loss of a sibling, child or grandchild. Each group meets at the same time and in the same building to make it convenient for family members to attend together.

Meetings are the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of December, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Center for Family Safety and Healing, 655 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus. Free parking behind the building.

Siblings

A unique program targeting the specific needs of sibling grief

Children (ages 5 and up) are under the guidance of Child Life professionals

Opportunities to express their feelings through a variety of activities

A safe place:

to gain peer support

learn how to express difficult or confusing feelings

clarify any misconceptions

share ideas to promote positive coping

strengthen the bonds within the family

Parents

Parents and guardians meet to learn about and share their grief experiences

Monthly topics are presented to facilitate understanding of the grief process

A safe place:

to help process emotions

to normalize the grief process

to provide the necessary tools to facilitate healing as a family.

Grandparents

Grandparents meet for their own time of sharing

Opportunity for open communication that may not occur if meeting with parent group

A safe place:

to share the many emotions that they carry, both as grandparent and parent.

to receive support and bereavement resources specific to grandparents.

Clinical Pastoral Education

The Department of Pastoral Care is accredited by The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) to offer pastoral education. This is an action/reflection process that is grounded in a person-centered approach to ministry. Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers all levels of CPE education – from the initial unit to residency to supervisory education. An initial unit from an ACPE accredited center is required for admittance to the residency program. Full and part-time units are available. No person will be denied acceptance on the basis of race, gender, age, faith group, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Statement of Confidentiality and Student Rights

Annual Notice (ACPE Standard 304.4): This ACPE CPE center/program guarantees to its students the rights to inspect and review education records, to seek to amend them, to specified control over release of record information, and to file a complaint against the program for alleged violations of the Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA) rights.

A student has the right to object to record content. If not negotiable, the written objection will be kept with and released with the record.

Violations of these protocols may be reported to the Chair of the Accreditation Commission at: ACPE, 1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103, Decatur, GA 30033.

ACPE information may be found at their website www.acpe.edu, or by calling the pastoral care office at 614-722-5250.